Tuesday, December 9, 2014

“Moses had to be of the Black race/cuz he spent 40 years in Pharaoh's Place”

Why Is That? Boogie Down Productions

The new movie, Exodus: Gods and Kings, has drawn a lot of heat because of the producer’s choice to, once again, select a white cast to portray the Egyptians and the Jews of the Old Testament. To make matters worst, media mogul, Rupert Murdoch further ticked people off when he tweeted the ludicrous question “since when are the Egyptians not white?” I guess if Murdoch decided to do a Hip Hop version of Exodus, the movie would star Macklemore as Ramesses the Great , Iggy Azalea as Nefretiri and Eminem as Moses.

The question of the color of the ancient Egyptians and the original Jews has long been debated by scholars. Historically, white scientists have chosen to place a lily white civilization smack dab in the middle of the hot sands of Northern Africa. Thankfully, black scholars such as Cheikh Anta Diop (The African Origin of Civilization) , Yosef ben-Jochannan (We the Black Jews) and Anthony Browder (Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization) have dedicated their lives to correcting this misrepresentation of history. Interestingly enough, several white writers such as Godfrey Higgins (Anacalypsis) , Martin Bernal (Black Athena) and Arthur Koestler (The Thirteenth Tribe) have presented a more ,historically, accurate truth in their works. White authors such as Sigmund Freud (Moses and Monotheism) and Gary Greenberg (The Bible Myth) have even suggested that Moses, himself, might have been an Egyptian.

Also, there have been numerous religious groups that have challenged the idea of white Judaism since the early 20th century, such as “The Church of God and Saints of Christ,” and the “African Hebrew Israelites” who relocated to Dimona, Israel. We must never forget that it was Rabbi Arnold Josiah Ford who wrote the Universal Ethiopian Hymnal for Marcus Garvey’s UNIA, the largest black movement in American history.

However, the history of Black Jews (correctly known as Hebrew Israelites) is rarely discussed in this country. Movies like “The Ten Commandments “ have made Moses look like Charlton Heston instead of Wesley Snipes.

Even in Hip Hop, while rap historians have focused on the Islamic influence on the genre, relatively little attention has been paid to the influence of the Hebrew Israelite teachings. There have been many stories written on Rakim, Brand Nubian and Poor Righteous Teachers and their use of Hip Hop to “civilize the 85” but little has been written about artists like Killah Priest and Hell Razah using Hebrew teachings to “ gather the lost tribes.”

One of the first instances of Hebrewism in Hip Hop was Doug E. Fresh and The Get Fresh Crew’s 1985 hit, “The Show.” While the lyrics contained basically, esoteric Hebrew references, indiscernible to the untrained ear, Doug E Fresh’s other works such as “All the Way to Heaven” showed the influence of the Torah more directly. By the time he released “ Aiight” there was little doubt that he was reppin’ the 144 (thousand) as he wore the Star of David emblem at the beginning of the video and featured a cameo by some Hebrew Israelites at the end.

In 1989 , Boogie Down Production’s front man KRS One put writer Ella Hughley’s passage from her book, “The Truth About Black Biblical Hebrew-Israelites “ into lyrical form on the song “Why Is That?.” For many Hip Hop fans that was their first exposure to a black Biblical genealogy. He also used part of the same lyrics during the opening of the video for “You Must Learn.”

Years, later the Hebrew teachings came courtesy of Wu Tang affiliates , Sunz of Man. One of the most instrumental albums out of the Sunz of Man collective was Killah Priest’s solo joint, “Heavy Mental” which featured the classic cut “B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.)

It must be noted that rappers, Drake and Shyne are also Jewish. However, they embrace a more “Orthodox” form of Judaism that differs from the teachings of the Hebrew Israelites.

So the question must be asked, with the influence of Hebrew teachings on Hip Hop, why has there been no large movement to emerge like the Five Percenters or the Nuwaubians. Although there is plenty of 5% terminology embedded within Hip Hop, where is the Hebrew swag? On almost every award show , some rapper yells “PEACE! “ after he receives his trophy. But when is the last time you heard a rapper yell out “Shalom ?”

Perhaps the reason is because of the strict laws and statutes attached to the Torah as opposed to the NGE (5%) ideology of being I Self Lord And Master. Or maybe, it is because the racial identity of the “Chosen People” is still too much of a taboo topic to be discussed in a Hip Hop industry that has no problem promoting black genocide on a continuous basis.

But in a time when movies like Exodus; Gods and Kings, are being released, Hip Hop should be some of the strongest voices correcting the historical errors portrayed in the film. Unfortunately, there has been mostly silence from the usually opinionated rap crowd.

The prophets of the Old Testament talked about how the Children of Israel would be a scattered people. This Is especially true in Hip Hop. However, they also prophesied that one day “ a remnant would return.” With our people living in almost total darkness, it is time for those who are supposed to be chosen to give light to the world to unite!

As we approach 2015, “the dry bones in the valley” must connect so we can stand up and be an exceedingly great army to save our people from destruction.

Shalom!

Minister Paul Scott represents the Messianic Afrikan Nation. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com. Follow on twitter @truthminista

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The day was a good day...That hot summer afternoon in Compton back in ‘84. As, Egyptian Lover, blasted from somebody’s boombox the yunguns held a breakdancin’ competition on the sidewalk, while the old folks played dominoes in the shade. But then it happened... A mysterious white cloud descended upon South Central LA. All of a sudden the breakdancers started shootin’ at each other and the the old folks knocked over the domino table and started stumbling around the ghetto like mindless zombies….

Of course, the drug epidemic didn't quite happen that fast. It was part of a long program that had gone on for decades to destroy black people, mentally, spiritually and physically. But it just seemed that way...

This month, a new movie is being released called, Kill the Messenger, which tells the story of the late San Jose Mercury News reporter, Gary Webb. In 1996, Webb released a series of articles called , Dark Alliance, which alleged that the CIA played a role in the crack cocaine epidemic that took over South Central LA during the 80’s.

Like many of my generation, I remember the initial outcry over the allegation that the Feds were responsible for turning good natured Uncle Jimmy into a crack head. There were numerous talk shows and town forums with black folks expressing outrage but, what happened next is just a blur...

This blur, has resulted in a generation of kids who don’t know how to get out of the drug/gang life because they have no clue how they got in it to start with.

Now, let’s be clear. Talk about the conspiracy to wipe black folks off the planet did not begin with Gary Webb's article. Nor did it end with the release of his book. There has always been talk of a grand conspiracy to kill off the “undesirables. ” Ever since the good white Christian church folks of this country had the revelation that it wasn't exactly proper to string God’s people up by ropes, new, but equally destructive ways had to be implemented.

Although, Webb may have been the loudest voice who raised the issue of the drug induced genocide of the ‘hood, he definitely was not the first.

During the early 70’s Samuel Yette wrote, The Choice, which revealed various government programs to stop the rise of African Americans. Also, two years before Dark Alliance was published , Dr. Patricia Turner wrote the outstanding book , Heard It Through the Grapevine, which gave case studies surrounding the various “conspiracy theories” that had circulated around the black community, including the introduction of crack. Not to mention lecturers, like Steve Cokely, who traveled, tirelessly, around the country trying to warn a skeptical black community that the sky wasn’t fallin’ , but somebody was bombin’ the ‘hood with crack rocks.

So, what made Gary Webb’s revelation so earth shaking? Who knows? Maybe a slow news cycle. Maybe the way the planets were aligned. Or maybe, as usual, nobody believes anything until a white man says it. For a brief moment in time, the plight of the boyz in the ‘hood had finally made front page news in a way that did not make absentee fathers or the lack of education totally responsible their collective condition. But those who live by media coverage, die by media coverage, as the suffering of black kids in the ghetto could not compete with John Q. Public’s fascination with the sexual exploits of a sitting US president. Unfortunately, the Dark Alliance story that could have saved thousands of black lives was knocked off the front page by the explicit Too Short-like ,freaky tales of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky;.

Not that the issue of how drugs got in the hood hasn’t been raised since the 90’s. Every time a superstar rapper gets called out over his lyrics that champion drug dealin’ , he is quick to sing the old familiar ditty about how “ we don’t own
the planes or ships that bring drugs into this country..” ala "Nino Brown" from the infamous court scene in New Jack City. But instead of a noble quest to get to the root of the problem, the statement just plays out as a way to justify genocide.

So, in the aftermath of Dark Alliance, Freeway Ricky Ross, the man credited for ,allegedly , pushin' drugs for Uncle Sam has become a folk hero to a generation of Hip Hop fans. But instead of having to continuously explain his bad decision to thousands of grieving mothers, his biggest concern seems to be over some rapper swagga jackin’ his style. So instead of debating the validity of Webb's accusations, and more importantly, questioning whether there are other Freeway Ricky Ross’s
pushin’ Molly in the ‘hood in 2014 in order to fund a “war on terror," we are stuck with conversations that just make for good TMZ material.

Maybe, the movie Kill the Messenger will open up a dialogue in the African American community, where we can use it as a platform to re-examine the question of biological and chemical warfare waged on us. Maybe we will finally ask the right questions to get the right answers so we can tell our children to “Say no to drugs” and not come off sounding like clueless, hypocrites.

My generation has some unfinished business to take care of.

Yes, the “conscious Hip Hop era of yester- year raised questions but it did not create the organizational structure to demand the answers. So, 18 years after Dark Alliance ,as Fred Hampton once said , we are left "with answers that don’t answer, explanations that don’t explain and conclusions that don’t conclude…"

Maybe, one day we will be able to place the blame for the destruction of our families where it rightly belongs instead of , like Pac said, “blamin’ mama for turnin’ my brother into a crack baby…”

Min. Paul Scott represents the Messianic Afrikan Nation. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com
or (919) 972-8305 Follow on Twitter @truthminista

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Without a doubt, you are one of the most brilliant satirists that the black community has ever produced. The first season of your Boondocks series was pure genius and the creation of the militant, socially conscious “Huey Freeman” character was instrumental in raising the consciousness level of many African Americans, especially those with short attention spans or weak bladders who could never sit through a two hour -plus black history documentary like Hidden Colors but would watch a 30 minute cartoon. Your impact was especially felt during this season’s Boondocks, as your departure has left the show extremely lacking in the social relevance department.

However, I am concerned about your latest venture on the Adult Swim Network, Black Jesus, that preaches a ghettoized gospel to your former Boondocks congregation. I don’t find a Messiah who turns water into malt liquor entertaining. Of course there will be many people who will find Black Jesus hilarious, especially Adult Swim’s predominately white audience. So the fact that many people will find humor in the comedy is not up for discussion. After all, many white folks thought that lynchings were pretty funny…

But I digress.

I have read that some white Christian groups are protesting the show. Let’s not get it twisted. I couldn’t care less what the white Evangelical Right Wing thinks about the show. In my opinion, the only thing worst than a black Jesus that endorses drinkin’ and smokin’ is a white Jesus that endorses slavery. I am concerned about black people, especially black children.

The image of a “Black Messiah” has always been controversial in this country. Since the inception of the Black Theology movement over 150 years ago by people like Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, there have only been a handful of black images of Yeshua. ( Jesus was just his proverbial slave name) Unfortunately, since your new character is already the most widespread image ever, when my grandchildren Google “Black Jesus” years from now the image that will pop up will not be Yeshua feeding the multitudes but your lead character ,Gerald “Slink” Johnson, puffin’ on a blunt.

You have the opportunity to go down in history as one of our greatest thinkers who, at a critical moment in time, had the courage to speak truth to power. I would hate to see you go the route of so many of our biggest and brightest (cough..Kanye West) and become dumbed down to nothing more than a lawn jockey on the front yard of Ted Turner’s plantation.

I am clear that if you weren’t producing the program, the powers that be would just find someone else to accept the blood money. So, the focus should not be on the “Judas” but those who paid him the 30 pieces of silver to sell the Messiah out.

I was watching the controversial, “Hunger Strike” episode of The Boondocks earlier today , where “Huey Freeman” went to war against Black Entertainment Television for plotting to destroy the black community via it’s questionable programming. Are you holding the Adult Swim/Comedy Network to a different standard?

There is an old cliche that asks, “what would Jesus do?” I ask you, sir, in the case of Black Jesus, what would Huey do?

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

“What’s good for Hip Hop might not be good for my soul”
Mt. Olympus -Big KRIT

Back in the day the elders used to tell us about the value of looking at the “man in the mirror” because the image staring back at you doesn't lie. But today in this age of Facebook “selfies” many black people can't see their own images, they see themselves through the distorted lenses of Hip Hop. Call me old fashioned but I ain't wit the "selfies." I still look in the mirror and when I do, I don’t see Hip Hop, I see a Black man…
For years, there has been an ongoing argument between those who seek to define the parameters of “Hip Hop culture." Many purists have almost come to blows discussing who is and who ain’t Hip Hop. More recently the racial aspect of the discussion garnered new attention when artists like Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian and Scarface accused white people of the hostile invasion of the Hip Hop Nation.
But the reason why the obvious validity of the rappers' points have been able to be shaded by their critics is because of the context of the argument. Many people believe that Hip Hop and Black culture are one in the same. So, the problem is not white people in Hip Hop, the problem is Hip Hop itself.
First, we must recognize the fact that “Hip Hop” is not a culture. At most, it is a synthetic sub-culture created out of aesthetic elements of the Black experience. Although, people may argue that Hip Hop started in the 70’s, it did not really become popular until it was stumbled upon by white explorer’s of the ‘hood. Kinda like how Christopher Columbus “discovered” America.
So, when the issue of the white theft of Black culture through Hip Hop is brought up, it quickly devolves into a straw man argument over the contributions of a few white rappers to the so called “culture." However, this argument is not totally without merit.
In reality, one of the first rap movies, Wild Style was not exactly a Pro-Black Spike Lee- type flick. Also, the influence of the Beastie Boys', Licence to Ill cannot be denied. We must also remember that a white punk rock singer, Deborah Harry of Blondie was the first female “MC” with a #1 record. Even politically, one of the coldest disses against white America came courtesy of MC Search of 3rd Base on "Gas Face. " "Black cat is bad luck/bad guys wear black/ must have been a white guy who started all that…” During the modern era few can say that Brother Ali ain't droppin’ science.
But although they may be “Hip Hop,” they still ain’t Black.
The sad reality is, “Hip Hop” was never created to be ,exclusively, African. Although many movements have impressed white liberals and scared white conservatives with their super, black militant swagga, Hip Hop has, historically, been more integration-ist than the NAACP. Matter of fact, during the four year reign of Black conscious Hip Hop (1988-92) only the first two years were made to give young black kids a “Knowledge of Self,” the other two years were all about giving white college kids a crash course in Black History 101.
It’s almost as if 40 -something years ago, a black Yacub-like scientist in the Bronx had the idea that if he could mix together mc-ing, graffiti, break dancing and dj-ing, he could come up with a formula to destroy the white supremacist gene. Of course, the experiment was a miserable failure. Instead of making white people more righteous, it made the “original people” more unrighteous.

Unfortunately, instead of admitting the failure, many Hip Hop apologists have insisted on “integrating our people into a burning house,” as Dr. Martin Luther King is
said to have told Harry Belafonte regarding the Civil Rights movement.
What we must realize is that there is a non- compatibility factor between the cultural norms of the African and the European that makes any attempt to reform white supremacy via an artificial culture doomed to failure as Michael Bradley discusses in his book, The Iceman Inheritance.
Two turntables and a microphone cannot erase cultural norms that existed thousands of years before RunDMC brought their first pair of Adidas.
What Hip Hop has produced is a “Negro-pean” or what historian St. Clair Drake would call a “creole culture” that is neither black nor white. This has made Hip Hop a major deterrent to the Liberation of black people. Suppose instead of reppin’ Hip Hop culture for 40 years , we had put all of our energy into reppin’ Black culture?
When Black people embrace Hip Hop as a “culture” they ignore the warning of former Black Panther minister of Education George Murray who said, “ The only culture worth keeping is a revolutionary culture. Our culture must not be something that the enemy enjoys, appreciates, or says is attractive. It must be repelling to the slave master..”
But in the “Hip Hop Matrix” anything goes. So much so that a white radio personality like Hot 97’s , Peter Rosenberg can feel comfortable questioning the contributions of the legendary Chuck D to Hip Hop. And also, Justin Bieber could be given a 'hood pass to use the N-word. This could not happen under the auspices of black culture.
Remember Kwame Ture did not say "Hip Hop Power," he said " Black Power." And James Brown did not say "I'm Hip Hop and I'm Proud." He said "I'm Black and I'm Proud!"
So, this being Juneteenth week, I am not saying that Black people should kick white folks out of Hip Hop, I am saying that we should leave it. I am calling for a mass exodus of Black people from the “Hip Hop Nation.” Take a good look at your selfie, you ain’t Hip Hop, you are Black!
Like Lil Boosie says “ We gonna show the world, the definition of real….my Brotha..

Min.Paul Scott is founder of the Messianic Afrikan Nation. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com. Follow on Twitter @truthminista

Monday, February 10, 2014

Inspired by Michael Sam's recent announcement that he plans to be the football's first openly gay player, Tyrone "Mustafa" Jackson decided that he wanted to make history, too. Yesterday, at a press conference, Jackson announced to the world that he wanted to be America's first "openly black" hockey player. While Sam's announcement was met with cheers and letters of congratulations, Mustafa's announcement was met with boos and "go back to Africa" tweets...

Although many folks have applauded Michael Sam's announcement that he wants to be the NFL's first openly homosexual player, one has to wonder what America's reaction would be to an openly pro-black athlete.

Since childhood, most of us have been taught to be undercover black militants. We have been warned to keep the black rage that burns deep inside of us, on the down low. We cannot risk committing the unpardonable sin of offending white folk. So, we keep who we really are locked deep inside, only letting a little melanin leak out during Black History Month and Kwanzaa.

Black professional athletes are no different.

Now, there have been some overtly black professional athletes in our history, but it has been a minute. And one must admit, the pro-black jock wasn't exactly met with open arms.

Your grandparents might remember when reporters refused to call the heavy weight champion of the world ," Muhammad Ali" but insisted on calling him by his slave name," Cassius Clay." Or maybe they can tell you about the blacklisting of John Carlos and Tommie Smith for having the audacity to throw up the infamous Black Power fist during the 1968 Olympics.

Ask your parents about the time that Craig Hodges, of the '92 NBA champs, Chicago Bulls, had the nerve to visit George Bush at the White House, sportin' a dashiki and holding a letter complaining about how the Prez dissed African Americans with his domestic policies.

I don't recall too many Americans calling these guys heroes and wanting to throw a ticker tape parade.

Let's face it. America is scared of a straight up, no- holds -barred black man. While a Brotha showing his feminine side will be called a role mode, the Brotha that emits too much testosterone will be villainized as a thug, ala Seattle Seahawk, Richard Sherman.

And it's not just mano-a-mano type action that gets love, either. Wilt Chamberlain was considered the Man of the Year, when he announced that he had slept with over 20,000 women. Also, how many reality shows have you seen with athletes talking about how they pop bottles and make it rain in the club. Our athletes are able to talk about any and everything except a black social, economic or political agenda.

Seems like many black athletes have chosen to keep their blackness locked in the closet.

We must remember that at one point baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, had a beef with Malcolm X. Also, while Muhammad Ali was denouncing Uncle Sam for his treatment of African Americans, George Forman was dancing around the ring with a red, white and blue flag.

We can't forget that the greatest human to ever touch a basketball was often accused of not doing enough for "the hood."

During the early 90's Michael Jordan was accused of not supporting the Sonja Haynes Stone Cultural Center at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Also, when asked why he didn't use some of his Nike money to support the NC black Democratic senatorial candidate, Harvey Gantt, he allegedly said that "Republicans buy sneakers too."

Back during the reign of black boxing great Jack Johnson, white America screamed for a "great white hope" to defeat him. In, 2014, what we need is a great black hope to defeat our self-hatred.

We need athletes who are not ashamed of their blackness. We need sports heroes who will support a black agenda with the same force that others promote a homosexual agenda.

If an athlete can proudly sport a rainbow colored football helmet, we need a black athlete who will proudly carry a red, black and green hockey stick.

Since this is supposed to be Black History Month, wouldn't it have been nice if one of the black Seattle Seahawks would have come to the post Superbowl press conference with a copy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson's Miseducation of the Negro? Or what would happen if at the, upcoming, NBA All Star Weekend, the African American players would host some Black Empowerment Conferences and strategize ways to pull their resources to help the little black boys and girls in the hood?

In all fairness, it's not just the athletes that need to step up, but black celebrities, in general. During the recent Grammy Awards, Hip Hop icon Queen Latifah , helped to officiate a, partially, same sex mass wedding. We need some artists to step up and host a major event on the world stage to rebuild the black family.

We have enough Michael Sams and Queen Latifahs telling our children that it's OK to be gay. We need some Jim Browns and Nina Simones to tell them that its OK to be, "young, gifted and black."

Min. Paul Scott represents the Messianic Afrikan Nation. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com website No Warning Fired.com Follow on Twitter @truthminista

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

During the Civil Rights Era /Black Power Era , the voices of Black America were represented by black leaders such as Malcolm X and The Last Poets. However, in 2014 the voices of "Black America" are represented by white liberals like Tim Wise and the rapper Macklemore.

This Black History Month, NC minister Paul Scott, founder of the Messianic Afrikan Nation is calling for a "hostile takeover" of Black History Month, According to Scott, Black culture has become "too white" and is no longer what Dr. Carter G. Woodson (founder of , then, Black History Week) intended.

This February, Scott is demanding that the Black community regain control of Black culture and become better custodians of Black history.

Paul Scott

Paul Scott

Paul Scott is a minister, writer, lecturer and activist. He has been a guest on talk shows around the world including Hannity and Colmes (Fox News), Fox News Live, Nachman (MSNBC), Hot 97 (NY), The Bev. Smith Show, Mancow Morning Show, Mike Medved Show, Russ Parr Morning Show, Mo in the Midday WVON (Chicago), Tom Pope Show (DC) Newstalk 1010 (Toronto) and SAfm (South Africa) discussing the issues of Rap,Race,Religion and Revolution. He has been interviewed by many newspapers including the New York Times, the USA Today, the Wall Street Journal and the Christian Science Monitor. Scott has lectured at universities across the country including West Virginia University, Clemson, Winston Salem State University and Illinois Wesleyan University. Scott was ordained a Baptist minister in 1998 he later went on to coin the phrase Afrikan Liberation Theology, which is "Black Liberation Theology for the 21st century." After forming the New Righteous Movement, Scott formed the Messianic Afrikan Nation in 2003. For more information contact (984) 377-2064 info@nowarningshotsfired.com or Twitter @NWSF